Code of Student Conduct

Questions about the Code of Student Conduct

Am I going to be kicked out of school if I violate the Code of Student Conduct?

We are interested in your success and well-being, but we must also balance that with the security and well-being of our campus community as a whole. In an attempt to uphold our educational philosophy, we tend to reserve sanctions like suspension (temporary removal from campus) and dismissal (permanent removal) for serious violations of the Code of Student Conduct.

What does Student Conduct consider to be serious violations of the Code of Student Conduct?

While not exclusive to the following, suspension and dismissals are a common outcome for the following violations:

Theft

Weapons

Drug Distribution

Sexual Misconduct

Crimes of Violence (1219 violations)

Chronic Behavior (repeat violations)

Are drug violations by resident students considered a serious violation?

As both a student and a member of the campus community, you should recognize that drug violations are not only serious because they are illegal, but also because the nature of use, possession, or distribution by students who live in the residence hall setting can create a negative influence on other residents’ behavior, negatively impact their level of comfort and living conditions, and both directly and indirectly increases the risk of safety and security concerns for other residents and members of the campus community.

The possession, use, manufacture, cultivation, distribution or facilitating the distribution of drugs or drug paraphernalia by students and/or their guests is not permitted in any residence hall as agreed upon by signing your housing contract. Students found responsible for violating Section D-9 of the Code of Student Conduct for possession, use, manufacture, cultivation, distribution or facilitating the distribution of any illegal substance or paraphernalia will be considered in violation of their housing contract conditions and the contract will consequently be cancelled.

Students found responsible will be required to vacate their campus residence within the timeline determined by the Director of the Department of Residence Life and Housing.

Residents found responsible for this violation are also subject to additional sanctions as deemed appropriate and in accordance with standard sanction guidelines by the Department of Student Conduct and Community Standards. The cancellation of the housing contract is a non-negotiable consequence of the violation and will not impact other sanctioning decisions made by a member of the Student Conduct staff or the University Hearing Board.

Definitions of Misconduct

In order to help students identify their rights and responsibilities, Student Conduct has paraphrased Section D of the Code of Student Conduct which defines misconduct as including the following actions:

1. Plagiarism, cheating or academic misconduct

2. Furnishing false information

3. Intimidating or threatening behavior

4. Disorderly, disruptive, lewd, or indecent conduct

5. Use of an electronic device to make an audio or video recording of someone without consent

6. Distribution of an audio or video recording or photograph of someone without consent